Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers: children's science fiction

Showing posts with label children's science fiction. Show all posts

Friday, July 21, 2023

Rockstar Book Tours presents... THE SINISTER SECRETS OF SINGE by Sean Ferrell - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE SINISTER SECRETS OF SINGE by Sean Ferrell Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. This curious little book has everything from an interesting title to an endearing leading lad, a shady past to an unpredictable future! Check out my review post below and make sure to enter the giveaway before you head off to visit the other sites on tour!

Title: THE SINISTER SECRETS OF SINGE

Author: Sean Ferrell

Pub. Date: June 6, 2023

Publisher: Pixel+Ink

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 384

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/THE-SINISTER-SECRETS-OF-SINGE

The Wild Robot meets Sweet Tooth in the first book in a sweeping adventure series packed with robots, smugglers, battles, and a lonely boy trying to find where he fits in the world.

Eleven-year-old Noah has grown up in a mysterious house that grows larger every night with only his mother and a robot-boy for company. He spends his days building robotic devices for the city of Liberty, a place he’s not even allowed to visit—not since his father almost destroyed it when Noah was only a baby.

When Noah discovers a message hidden in one of his father's inventions, he decides to run away to find him. He’s sure that at his father’s side he’ll finally get the recognition he deserves. With the help of a band of smugglers (especially unofficial second in command, young Winona), he sails to Singe to rescue his father, who he’s certain is as misunderstood as he is, but the man he finds there is even more of a monster than his mechanical creations. And when Noah returns home, he accidentally leads his father’s robot army to Liberty once more.

Now, it’s up to Noah to rescue the city—but to do so, he’ll have to make a terrible choice.

Reviews:

"A boy’s determined search for his father lends emotional heft to this steampunk-inflected series starter. . . . Tackling questions about sacrifice and sentience, this speculative enterprise, accompanied by Carter’s moody illustrations, offers melancholic refinement. . . ."—Publishers Weekly

"Ferrell opens this exciting new middle-grade adventure series with a bang. . . . Lush world building and an action-packed storyline will prove perfect for fans of book franchises such as A Series of Unfortunate Events. With a plot that never fails to lose steam, accompanied by Carter’s eerie illustrations, Noah’s origin story is one that fans of adventure and mystery ought not to miss."—Booklist

"This high adventure veers between fast action sequences and stolid instances of emotional development."—Foreword Reviews

"An impressively descriptive story. . . ."—Kirkus Reviews

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As much as this story is about robots 🤖, high sea adventures 🌊, and the potential for an unwanted instant replay of a war to end all wars, it's also... not.

It's a story about a young man with a hidden heritage, following the rules of those that supposedly have his best interests at heart, yet being kept from the life he could live. It's a story about finding yourself, accepting the past, and taking hold of the future. It's a story about friendship, companionship, and loneliness, and how each can shape and mould a person. It's a story about giving people and life a chance and not holding the past against them for fear of a future you don't know will come to pass.

Noah was a curious young man growing up in a house that constantly grew. Curious? You should be because that's just the tip of the mechanical iceberg of oddities and genuis. When the world gets hold of his presence, they do what makes sense to them... lock him up out of fear instead of getting to know him, understand him, or even giving him the benefit of the doubt. Though his jail time may be short, his jailbreak is one to remember (reminded me of the pirates in Tangled...too funny!), as is his journey and the discoveries he makes. He uncovers astonishing truths as well as some rather uncomfortable, and when everything comes to a head, he definitely had a lot to consider, but in the end, owned the path he chose, for better or worse.

Come discover a fascinating world not unlike our own, and yet beyond your sci-fi fanatical dreams! A great pick for Children's Fiction fans, middle grade and up!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the author...

Sean Ferrell lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. He writes stories about children and adults who don’t understand why they keep getting into trouble. Sometimes those stories are for adults. Sometimes for children. His work is usually speculative in nature. His shorter writing has appeared in journals and magazines such as Electric Literature’s “The Outlet” and The Adirondack Review.

Visit him online at www. seanferrell.com

__________________________

About The Illustrator:

Graham Carter can often be found printmaking, sketching, or making a mess in his studio. He was recently shortlisted for the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize. He lives in Seaford with his wife and sons.

Visit him online at www.graham-carter.co.uk

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~ GIVEAWAY ~~~

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE SINISTER SECRETS OF SINGE, US Only.

Ends July 25^th, midnight EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Special thanks to Rockstar Book Tours for the chance to bring this tour to you and to Pixel+Ink for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so seek thee out a copy at your favorite brick and mortar or online store. Be sure to catch the rest of the tour for more bookish fun...

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/10/2023	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt/IG Post
7/10/2023	Character Madness and Musings	Excerpt/IG Post
7/11/2023	Log Cabin Library	Excerpt
7/11/2023	YA Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post
7/12/2023	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt/IG Post
7/12/2023	@hodophile_z	Review/IG Post
7/13/2023	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
7/13/2023	@jlreadstoperpetuity	Review/IG Post
7/14/2023	@aportaltomagic	IG Review
7/14/2023	@enthuse_reader	IG Review/TikTok Post

Week Two:

7/17/2023	Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post
7/17/2023	Avainbookland	Review/IG Post
7/18/2023	@pagesforpaige	IG Review
7/18/2023	Review Thick And Thin	Review/IG Post
7/19/2023	Locks, Hooks and Books	Review
7/19/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post
7/20/2023	@froggyreadteach	IG Review
7/20/2023	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post
7/21/2023	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
7/21/2023	Ariandher.books	IG Review

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Monday, September 26, 2022

TCBR AWARENESS TOUR: Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex by Carole P. Roman - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

HI guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we've teamed up with The Children's Book Review to bring you the latest Children's Fiction release from author Carole P. Roman. You might recognize the name from your own reading, or from my site if you've been following me for any length of time, as she has quite a few works already out there, and this one promises to make waves for some time to come! Ready or not, fair readers, let's get this book party started as we raise AWARENESS for today's book of choice and blog tour guest...

Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Carole P. Roman

9781950080434

Chelshire, Inc.

About the book...

Templeton Academy, the superhero high school, is finally open!

The prestigious academy is recruiting the best of the best to enroll in its student body. The school is as mysterious as it is exclusive. Grady Whill thinks there is nothing special about him to make the grade. However, his best friend, Aarush Patel has been selected and thinks Grady has the right stuff. Even school bully, Elwood Bledsoe is attending.

If Grady is fortunate enough to be picked, his guardian has forbidden him to attend. Will a family secret prevent Grady from becoming the superhero he was destined to be?

Amazon | Audible

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Looking for a book that packs a punch?

Looking for a story that may be out of this world, but is still ultimately relateable?

Looking for a tale that entertains while still imparting messages that echo across the generation gap?

Want to pick up a new series starter that will keep you coming back for more?

If you answered yes to any of the above, strap in...this is the book for you!

I've had experience with this author's previous works, so I had a few expectations, some of which I mentioned in those above intro questions, and they were all answered in the positive. She's known for bringing scenes to life, giving characters that something extra to pull you closer, bringing the action and entertainment, but also getting to the heart of it all. For Grady, it was all about family, both of blood and chosen. His friends were his lifeline, their closeness keeping him grounded, while their challenges gave him something to focus on because he was a doer, not a watcher. His family history...well, let's just say it's about to get a little more complicated than he may realize, but he'll have enough going on for it to be a side note...for now. Speaking of things going on , the new school...AMAZING...but, much like a certain Jurassic type theme park, it presented it's own set of challenges. Were the "attractions" trying to eat him? Not exactly, but they didn't want to leave him alive either...especially after he uncovers...certain things (keeping the mystery alive here folks!). In the end, or at least for the time being, it's the lessons that he's been taught his whole life that get him closer to overcoming the challenge before him. Do not fear failure. Failure makes us stronger. Failure makes us smarter. Failure is good. They may be hard to swallow, but think about it...without failure, we'd never LEARN, or experience true success...and that's just one of many life lessons you'll uncover.

So, come for the adventure, come for the super power filled school, come for the chance to live out your hero-type dreams and save the world...but stay for the friendships, the wisdom imparted, and the chance to kick some villain butt!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the author...

Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of over fifty children’s books. Whether it’s pirates, princesses, spies, or discovering the world around us, her books have enchanted educators, parents, and her diverse audience of children of all ages.

Her best-selling book, The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids: 800+ Jokes! has reached number one on Amazon in March of 2020 and has remained in the top 200 books since then.

She published Mindfulness for Kids with J. Robin Albertson-Wren.

Carole has co-authored two self-help books. Navigating Indieworld: A Beginners Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing with Julie A. Gerber, and Marketing Indieworld with both Julie A. Gerber and Angela Hausman.

Roman is the CEO of a global transportation company, as well as a practicing medium.

She also writes adult fiction under the name Brit Lunden and has created an anthology of the mythical town of Bulwark, Georgia with a group of indie authors.

Writing is her passion and one of her favorite pastimes. Roman reinvents herself frequently, and her family calls her the ‘mother of reinvention.’ She resides on Long Island, near her children and grandchildren.

For more information, visit http://www.caroleproman.com/.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | Amazon Author Page

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~ GIVEAWAY ~~~

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

- A signed copy of Grady Whill and the Templeton Code

- A waxed canvas backpack

Nine (9) winners receive:

- A signed copy of Grady Whill and the Templeton Code

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and as well as the book for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, September 12, 2022

The Children’s Book Review

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

The Fairview Review

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Thursday, September 15, 2022

The Momma Spot

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Friday, September 16, 2022

Writer with Wanderlust

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Monday, September 19, 2022

J.R.s Book Reviews

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

icefairy’s Treasure Chest

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Life Is What It’s Called

An interview with Carole P. Roman

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Crafty Moms Share

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Friday, September 23, 2022

Lisa’s Reading

An article by Carole P. Roman

Blending the superhero genre with the classic school story

Monday, September 26, 2022

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Book Zone Reviews

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Twirling Book Princess

An article by Carole P. Roman

Superheroes and why they make good characters for kids books

Thursday, September 29, 2022

Because I Said So

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Friday, September 30, 2022

Shooting Stars Mag

An interview with Carole P. Roman

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Thursday, September 1, 2022

Walden Pond Press presents... HOMEBOUND by John David Anderson - REVIEW!

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're heading back into deep space with Walden Pond Press as we celebrate the release of author John David Anderson's latest Children's Fiction release. It's the completion of his duology that began with Stowaway, a title featured here on my site that I REALLY enjoyed, so when I caught wind of its approach...I simply had to join the fun. Now, it's been just about a year since the first book's release, so you may need a mini-refresher to stir the old memory, a request I am more than happy to oblige....

Stowaway

John David Anderson

9780062985941

Walden Pond Press

About the book...

The beloved author of Posted and Ms. Bixby's Last Day returns with the first book in a coming-of-age sci-fi duology about Leo, a kid trying to navigate the galaxy in order to save his family—and, possibly, the planet Earth.

When scientists discover a rare and mysterious mineral buried in the Earth’s crust, they have no idea that it just happens to be the most valuable substance in the entire universe. It’s not long before aliens show up to our little corner of the galaxy offering a promise of protection, some fabulous new technology, and entry into their intergalactic coalition—all in exchange for this precious resource. A material so precious that other alien forces are willing to start a war over it. A war that soon makes its way to Earth.

Leo knows this all too well. His mother was killed in one such attack, and soon after, his father, a Coalition scientist, decides it would be best for them to leave Earth behind. It’s on this expedition that their ship is attacked, Leo’s father is kidnapped, and Leo and his brother are stranded in the middle of space. The only chance they have is for Leo to stow away on a strange ship of mercenary space pirates bound for who knows where and beg the captain to help him find his father.

But the road is dangerous, and pirates, of course, only look out for themselves. Leo must decide who to trust as he tries to stay alive and save his family, even as he comes to understand that there aren’t many people—human or alien—that he can count on in this brave new universe.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

...there, now that we're on the same spaceship, let's depart for BIGGER waters...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Homebound

John David Anderson

9780062986009

Walden Pond Press

About the book...

Leo Fender is no stranger to catastrophe, whether it’s the intergalactic war that took his mother’s life or the ongoing fight for his own. He’s seen his planet plundered, his ship attacked, his father kidnapped, and his brother go missing—and found himself stranded on a ship with a bunch of mercenary space pirates. Still, nothing could have prepared him for the moment he and the crew tried to save his father—and discovered a dark plot that could destroy hundreds of worlds in the blink of an eye.

Now, Leo is adrift. His father has sent him on a mission with nothing but a data chip and a name of someone who could help, and Captain Bastian Black and the crew of the Icarus are determined to see this through to the end with Leo, to fulfill his father’s wish and prevent further conflict. But as Leo searches for answers, he can’t help but wonder what it would take to end the war, to track down his father and brother and return to whatever home they have left—and if the cost of doing so is one he would be able to pay.

John David Anderson returns with the conclusion to the epic coming-of-age adventure that began in Stowaway—a riveting and heartfelt search for hope and home, family and future, in a galaxy ravaged by war.

🪐 🚀 🌑 🚀 🪐

Leo and the Icarus crew are back in this second space adventure filled with dangers unknown and a future as murky as a black hole.

Our little leading man and his current company, the pirate crew of the Icarus, as mentioned, have been tasked with transporting a chip with infinitesimally important information that could help end or win the war. Is there a difference? You bet, and it's all in the body count, whether they be actual beings or celestial bodies. He's to deliver it to someone his father trusted implicitly, though once introductions are made, it's hard to imagine why. Their lives are in peril on more than one occasion, and the weapons (and patience!) of both ship and crew are tested more times than worth mentioning. Let's just say it's not a friendly time to be out of the stratosphere wandering among the stars. Will they carry the plan out to completion? What does the chip actually hold? Will Leo ever see his father or brother again? Will Captain Black ever change his musical selections for pre-attack mode? These questions and more are answered within the pages of this stunning conclusion...and who am I to spoil all the surprises!

I will say this...as much as I loved the first book, I was anxious about the second. Sequels or follow-ups have a tendency to talk the talk, but not walk the walk. This one moonwalks with the best of them, and not only catches us up with the ragtag motley crew we've grown to love, but builds our relationship with them further, establishing roots where none should have been possible. It certainly speaks to the idea of family being those we choose to include in our inner circle, and home not being a building, but a feeling when we are surrounded by those we love and care for (a hard lesson for our young friend, Leo). The issues covered in the story may be presented as Science Fiction, but they are grounded in realities. Taking from people or a place just because we can. Destroying civilizations or lands simply because we are better equipped. Acting like Mother Earth is a completely renewable resource with no end, without understanding that it can be made finite by the choices we make, the impact we have.

Come aboard the Icarus for one last ride...and discover worlds, and people beyond your imagination...

🪐 🚀 🌑 🚀 🪐

About the author...

John David Anderson is the author of many highly acclaimed books for kids, including the New York Times Notable Book Ms. Bixby’s Last Day, Posted, Granted, One Last Shot, and Stowaway. A dedicated root beer connoisseur and chocolate fiend, he lives with his wonderful wife, two frawesome kids, and clumsy cat, Smudge, in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can visit him online at www.johndavidanderson.org.

🪐 🚀 🌑 🚀 🪐

Special thanks to Debbie and the Walden Pond Press team for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the ARC for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to snag your copy today, and be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!

August 23, 2022

Nerdy Book Club @nerdybookclub

August 26, 2022

A Library Mama @alibrarymama

August 30, 2022

Teachers Who Read @teachers_read

September 1, 2022

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers @grgenius

September 3, 2022

Maria's Mélange @mariaselke

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Monday, May 23, 2022

Walden Pond Press presents... DRIFTERS by Kevin Emerson - REVIEW!

Hi everyone!

Welcome back to another bookish day here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today’s blog tour guest comes to us via Walden Pond Press and features a stunning new Children’s Science Fiction title that had just enough humanity, just enough heart to also ensnare fans outside that genre. As with my previous exploits into their publications, there’s always a great story behind all the flash and pizzaz that makes it that much more memorable….good thing too since lost memories is something that adds to the creation of the drifters, but I digress. Let’s get to the introductions and explore between the pages of today’s blog tour guest and book of choice...

Drifters

Kevin Emerson

9780062976963

Walden Pond Press

About the book…

From the acclaimed author of the Chronicle of the Dark Star comes a riveting mystery, perfect for fans of Stranger Things, about a girl who sets out to find her missing best friend—and discovers her small town is hiding a dark, centuries-old secret.

Jovie is adrift. She’d been feeling alone ever since her best friend, Micah, left her behind for a new group of friends—but when Micah went missing last fall, Jovie felt truly lost.

Now, months later, the search parties have been called off, and the news alerts have dried up. There’s only Jovie, biking around Far Haven, Washington, putting up posters with Micah’s face on them, feeling like she’s the only one who remembers her friend at all.

This feeling may be far closer to the truth than Jovie knows. As strange storms beset Far Haven, she is shocked to discover that Micah isn’t just missing—she’s been forgotten completely by everyone in town. And Micah isn’t the only one: there are others, roaming the beaches, camped in the old bunkers, who have somehow been lost from the world.

When Jovie and her new friend Sylvan dig deeper, they learn that the town’s history is far stranger and more deadly than anyone knows. Something disastrous is heading for Far Haven, and Jovie and Sylvan soon realize that it is up to them to save not only Micah, but everyone else who has been lost to the world and set adrift—now, in the past, and in the future.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I say this a curious book, but I say it with a full heart. Although there is a serious scifi bend to the story line that is threaded throughout, it’s not JUST a scifi book. Yes, there are MYSTERIOUS events going on that will make you wonder...WHAT IF. Yes, there are scientific minds about wanting to study, sample, and probe. Yes, there are government agencies seeking...well, it depends what and who you believe. However, there is also SO MUCH MORE. The big key at the heart of it all is FRIENDSHIP….the power of, the strength of, the feelings of, and just how life affirming/changing it can be. It’s what tethers us to the world at large. It’s what helps us leave an impression on our surroundings. It’s what allows us to measure our own successes, deal with our failures, handle the crisis of our lives, and really share our hearts. It’s not the quantity, but the quality of the friendships we have, the connections we make. They can’t just be flash in the pan moments, but relationships nurtured through time, commitment, and love. Friendship isn’t a one way street, but a two way highway to a paradise of our own making. Having someone be there for you is AMAZING, but being there for someone else is equally so and the memories made will stay in your heart long after the echoing laughter has quieted, the final tear has been shed, or moment of anguish expelled.

All in all, it’s got plenty of scifi and fantasy to satisfy fans of the genre, but oh so much heart to touch those outside that circle and beyond. Something to mention though, more so for those with reluctant readers…it’s not a fast moving story. It’s slow to develop, painstakingly lays the groundwork for events to come, and takes us hour by hour until the impending event comes to pass...and while some newer readers or those with less attention span may wander from the page, I urge you to take heart because the moments to come are that important, that wonder-filled, and that heart warming that the buildup is well worth the wait.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the author….

Kevin Emerson is the author of Last Day on Mars and The Oceans Between Stars, as well as The Fellowship for Alien Detection, the Exile series, the Atlanteans series, the Oliver Nocturne series, and Carlos Is Gonna Get It. Kevin lives with his family in Seattle. You can visit him online at www.kevinemerson.net.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Special thanks to the Walden Pond Press team for the ARC for review! (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now via Walden Pond Press, and imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, so click on over to your favorite online retailer, or visit your local brick and mortar store today to snag your copy and start the adventure! Be sure to check out the other sites on this tour going on now in the blogosphere….

5/9/22 Nerdy Book Club @nerdybookclub

5/10/22 Bluestocking Thinking @bluesockgirl

5/11/22 Charlotte's Library @charlotteslibrary

5/13/22 Maria's Mélange @mariaselke

5/16/22 Teachers Who Read @teachers_read

5/23/22 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers @grgenius

5/27/22 A Library Mama @alibrarymama

5/31/22 Unleashing Readers @unleashreaders

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Rockstar Book Tours presents... TIGER HONOR by Yoon Ha Lee - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today, we welcome 2022 with open arms and a double dose of bookish fun with not one but two blog tours gracing the site. They are both remarkably different, but equally remarkable are the stories within. For this tour, I am thrilled to be hosting a spot featuring TIGER HONOR by Yoon Ha Lee, currently making the blogosphere rounds with Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my REVIEW post and make sure to enter the giveaway before you go!

Title: TIGER HONOR (Thousand Worlds #2)

Author: Yoon Ha Lee

Pub. Date: January 4, 2022

Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 256

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Yoon Ha Lee's companion to the best-selling and award-winning DRAGON PEARL, another space opera inspired by Korean mythology, this time told from the point of view of a nonbinary tiger spirit.

"A zesty mix of Korean folklore, magic, and science fiction that will leave you longing for more adventures in the Thousand Worlds!"--Rick Riordan, intro to DRAGON PEARL

"With crisp dialogue, a winning protagonist and a propulsive plot, this tale is enormously entertaining."--New York Times Book Review of DRAGON PEARL

Sebin, a young tiger spirit from the Juhwang Clan, wants nothing more than to join the Thousand World Space Forces and, like their Uncle Hwan, captain a battle cruiser someday. But when Sebin's acceptance letter finally arrives, it's accompanied by the shocking news that Hwan has been declared a traitor. Apparently the captain abandoned his duty to steal a magical artifact, the Dragon Pearl, and his whereabouts are still unknown. Sebin hopes to help clear their hero's name and restore honor to the clan.

Nothing goes according to plan, however. As soon as Sebin arrives for orientation, they are met by a special investigator named Yi and Yi's assistant, a girl named Min. Yi informs Sebin that they must immediately report to the ship Haetae and await further instructions. Sebin finds this highly unusual, but soon all protocol is forgotten when there's an explosion on the ship, the crew is knocked out, and the communication system goes down. It's up to Sebin, three other cadets, and Yi and Min to determine who is sabotaging the battle cruiser. When Sebin is suddenly accused of collaborating with the enemy, the cadet realizes that Min is the most dangerous foe of all...

Yoon Ha Lee brilliantly turns the tables on DRAGON PEARL in another unputdownable sci-fi adventure about what honor really means.

Grab book 1, DRAGON PEARL NOW!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To say this story was out of this world sounds totally cliché...

...and yet...

...that's the BEST way to describe it!

Just as in the previous book, Dragon Pearl, we find ourselves amongst the Thousand Worlds, seeking adventure, duty, and honor, but what we uncover is so much more than we could have imagined. Sebin has some mighty big paw prints to fill once he enters his cadet training...unfortunately doe to recent events, those he is stepping behind and into are tainted. It seems his Uncle Hwan, Captain and beloved member of the Juhwang Clan, is sought for treason, among other things, and has yet to be brought to justice. As things begin, it seems that Sebin worried needlessly about those deeds being held against him, but that's not to say that the tides can't turn at the speed of light. He has a funny feeling, and more often than not...those shouldn't be ignored. When an unexpected opportunity arises, followed by an unexpected encounter, it cements certain things that we know to be true...

First...the Space Forces really have no idea what they are dealing with, but they're about the find out.

Second...the family we choose is just as important, if not more so, than the one we are born into.

Third...one should never underestimate the little guy, nor base a known truth on preconceived prejudices.

Space is about to get a whole lot more interesting, AND dangerous, but if Sebin holds true to himself, and applies his training for the greater good...the Thousand Worlds may just "live" to see another day.

So that's the story, and as for the writing, it really put you right there on the spacecraft with Sebin and his friends. I appreciated the diversity in both the characters and their family histories. I enjoyed meeting up with Min once again, even if it wasn't initially the best of circumstances. I loved the hard choices the characters were faced with, the dilemmas they had to sort out between obligations and morals, and the mythology aspect of the story; it gave the book a greater depth than at first could be perceived. Overall, it was a great addition to the series, and I can't wait for more! (There will be more...right?)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About Yoon Ha Lee:

Yoon Ha Lee (yoonhalee.com) is the New York Times best-selling author of Dragon Pearl, a companion to this book and winner of the Locus Award and the Mythopoeic Award. He has also published several books for adults, including a standalone fantasy entitled Phoenix Extravagant, and the Machineries of Empire space opera trilogy: Ninefox Gambit, Raven Strategem, and Revenant Gun. Yoon draws inspiration from a variety of sources, e.g. Korean history and mythology, fairy tales, higher mathematics, classic moral dilemmas, and genre fiction. His website can be found at yoonhalee.com and his Twitter handle is @deuceofgears.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN...

1 of 3 finished copy of TIGER HONOR, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Special thank to Rockstar Book Tours team for the chance to bring this tour to you and to Rick Riordan presents for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this tour, or those forthcoming, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!

Tour Schedule

Week One:

1/1/2022 - BookHounds YA - Excerpt

Week Two:

1/2/2022 - YA Books Central - Excerpt

1/3/2022 - Kait Plus Books - Excerpt

1/4/2022 - Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers - Review

1/5/2022 - Celia's Reads-blog - Review

1/6/2022 - The Momma Spot - Review

1/7/2022 - Nerdophiles - Review

1/8/2022 - Lifestyle of Me - Review

Week Three: